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October 2012

October 30, 2012

THE FAITHFUL DEPARTEDwill be remembered during Communion at all three services, reminding us that every time we celebrate the Holy Eucharist time slips away and we are gathered around the one Altar and Table with the Communion of Saints.

FALL CLEAN-UPto prepare our buildings and grounds for the winter. Please come dressed to work indoors and outdoors; assignments will be posted in Founders Hall.

MANNA GIFT CARDS:November Manna orders are due this Sunday, with delivery on the Sunday before Thanksgiving. There will be one more opportunity to get gift cards before Christmas. You get 100% value when you shop, and the Preschool benefits with a percentage from the vendor!

SIGN-UP FOR PARTS IN THE CHRISTMAS PAGEANTbegins this Sunday through November 11.All St. Gregory's youth are encouraged to participate. There will be a SIGN UP POSTER in the hallway by the Parish Office through Sunday, November 11. REQUEST for MUSIC: If any students would like to play a musical instrument for the Pageant, please see me. Parent volunteers are also needed. Michele Appelbaum, Pageant Director

YOUTH GROUPCHRISTMASBASKET:The Youth Group has sponsored a family of four and from 5:00 - 7:30 pm both the Middle School and High School will be going out to dinner and shopping for our family. We ask that each family contribute $10 for buying the gifts. We had a real positive experience last year helping others celebrate Christmas, so please try to come both for the fun and for the giving if you can. Thanks, Bret.

STEWARDSHIP STATION

This is the third in a series of reflections by the Vestry's Stewardship Committee.

"I've recently listened, grudgingly, on my morning and evening commutes as the local public radio station conducted their annual fall pledge drive. As I listened, I realized that there are several parallels between that event and encouraging more, and more robust, financial commitments to St. Gregory's for the coming year.

1. The service is a 'free' service. There are no requirements to pay for the services provided by the radio station (or at St. Gregory's); they are provided as a service to the community (and to humankind) with 'no strings attached.'

2. Any pledge is appreciated, regardless of size. Although contributions are encouraged according to the listener's financial situation, guidance is offered that the size of the contribution should be based on how much the service means to the contributor.

3. Expanding participation is the key. Frequent listeners to the radio station are encouraged to 'get off the sidelines' and join in support of something they value. By making a financial contribution, radio listeners rightfully feel that they have a voice in the goals and execution of the various programs broadcast by the station. Promoting that feeling of ownership in the parish's outreach, community service, and internal organizations through financial contributions is also important at St. Gregory's.

To summarize, let's follow the public radio model and 'get off the sidelines,' deciding to take ownership of the good works of St. Gregory's parish, and its future financial viability, with prayerfully considered participation in the upcoming Giving Campaign. Tim Miller, Stewardship Committee

CHILDREN'S CHURCH FOR CHILDREN FROM 3 YEARS TO THIRD GRADE. . .

. . . is offered every week when there's Church School unless The Gregorys are playing. This child-friendly liturgy in the Atrium I classroom runs from 9 to 9:30 when the children join their families in regular church at the Peace. Last week Annette Baez led the children in a new song with percussion instruments. (Pictures follow my signature)

CHRISTMASBASKETS THANK YOU

On behalf of the Christmas Basket program at Cathedral Shelter, I want to thank all of you who signed up to sponsor more than 10 seniors and 30 families this year. You are giving a spark of hope to these seniors and families, knowing there are people who care about them.

There are some single moms with 1 or 2 children who need Baskets. If you would like to sponsor one of these families, or know someone who might like to, please call me at 847-945-5068. There is plenty of time to shop before the baskets are due December 4th. Thank you again, Marilyn Knilans

STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE ADULT FORUM PRESENTATION, NOVEMBER 11

Vestry members Al Bazzoni, Howard Hush, Cathy Leimbeck, and Tim Miller will introduce us to this year's Giving Campaignwith the help of many of our Ministries leaders.

ADVENT PARTY AND BLESSING OF THE DOOR AT THE RECTORY, DECEMBER 2

TROOP SUPPORT― OUR FINAL NIGHT: TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 7:00 PM

We invite you to help us pack a Christmas themed box to send to our Troops to help them get through the holidays and tell them we appreciate their sacrifices and will be here for them upon their return. Your donations of package contents and mailing costs will once again be greatly appreciated. We offer you our deepest gratitude for your friendship and unfaltering support throughout the 7 years of this valuable ministry. Cissy and Nuala

DOROTHY COLLINS RECEIVES KUDOS FOR THE DEERFIELD ROTARY CLUB

Mayor Harriet Rosenthal celebrated Rotary International's Polio Eradication program this week by proclamation of the Deerfield Village Board. Our own Dorothy Collins, President of the Deerfield Rotary Club, said "Only three countries in the world are still endemic, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Nigeria. Just this year India was dropped from the list." Rotary has contributed more than $1 billion towards the effort, with thousands of Rotarians traveling at their own expense to conduct volunteer polio immunizations. (Dorothy with Proclamation photo follows my signature)

GET READY FOR ANOTHER DIALOGUE SERMON! NOVEMBER 11 AT ALL PRACTICES

1 Kings 17:8-16:

The word of the LORD came to Elijah, saying, "Go now to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and live there; for I have commanded a widow there to feed you." So he set out and went to Zarephath. When he came to the gate of the town, a widow was there gathering sticks; he called to her and said, "Bring me a little water in a vessel, so that I may drink." As she was going to bring it, he called to her and said, "Bring me a morsel of bread in your hand." But she said, "As the LORD your God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of meal in a jar, and a little oil in a jug; I am now gathering a couple of sticks, so that I may go home and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it, and die." Elijah said to her, "Do not be afraid; go and do as you have said; but first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterwards make something for yourself and your son. For thus says the LORD the God of Israel: The jar of meal will not be emptied and the jug of oil will not fail until the day that the LORD sends rain on the earth." She went and did as Elijah said, so that she as well as he and her household ate for many days. The jar of meal was not emptied, neither did the jug of oil fail, according to the word of the LORD that he spoke by Elijah.

Mark 12:38-44:

Teaching in the temple, Jesus said, "Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets! They devour widows' houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation." He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. Then he called his disciples and said to them, "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on."

For each passage ask yourself these questions, and bring your answers to the 8, 9, or 11 o'clock Practice on 11/11:

1. If I wrote this passage as an article for a newspaper, what would my headline be?

October 24, 2012

Less than 100 tickets to go to reach our 400 tickets goal. 30 parishioners purchasing 3 tickets will do it.

AND PLEASE SIGN UP FOR A PUMPKIN PATCH SHIFT!

Monday through Friday we are open from 12-7 pm; on Saturday and Sunday we are open from 10 am-7 pm.

PICTURES FROM LAST SUNDAY'S PUMPKIN DECORATING FOLLOW MY SIGNATURE

THIS SUNDAY, OCTOBER 28, IN THE MORNING―

Please join me in the parking lot at 10:45 am to drive up to the Church of Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe in Waukegan as they celebrate the 10th anniversary of their church's consecration at 11:30. Or meet us at the Church which is located at 2415 North Butrick. It will be a festive celebration.

THIS SUNDAY, OCT0BER 28, IN THE EVENING ―

Bewitched: More Music for the Dead of Night

6:15 p.m.

Pre-Concert Receptionwith Wine and other attractive libations

7:00 p.m.

Concert with the Chicago Chamber Choirin costume with a wide variety of eerie music, and haunting classical and theatrical songs.

The audience is encouraged to attend in costume too. Make a reservation with Jim Collins or the Parish Office and save $2 off the door price of $20 for adults and $15 for children and students.

8:30 p.m.

Dessert Reception and Raffle Drawing― you do not need to be present to win― but why not win and have a wonderful concert as well?!

Child Carefor children 5 and underduring the concert.Children need to be fed before coming because no food will be provided. Thanks to Jaine and Luke for volunteering their time.

Donations of wine may be dropped off any time during office hours and

Donations of desserts may be dropped off on the morning of the 28th.

Servers of wine, beverages, coffee and desserts are needed during the receptions. And last, but not least,

Setup specialists are needed at 5:30 p.m. and Cleanup Specialists are needed at 9:30 p.m.

STEWARDSHIP STATION

This is the second in a series of reflections by the Vestry's Stewardship Committee.

". . . And I was a constant example to you in helping the poor; for I remembered the words of the Lord Jesus, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive'" (Acts 20:35).

How can we take to heart these simple words that all of us have heard many times?

Our faith and our church invite us to live a life of 'intentional giving'. With this kind of giving, we give to God first, before all our other expenses. Financial consultants appearing via the mass media (think Suze Orman) recommend that an effective way to manage money and pay off debt is to prioritize our expenses and pay the most important ones first as soon as each paycheck arrives. Once the most important obligations have been satisfied, the remaining income can be distributed among more 'discretionary' uses.

Prioritizing the support of the church and its various beneficiaries is an exercise in spirituality. It is done out of gratitude for all that God has given us and in the hope that such support will enable it to flourish and expand the number of lives coming under its influence.

When incorporating spiritual practices into our personal finances, we acknowledge what is truly important to us, with support of the church coming not from what's 'left over' after paying all our bills, but as the most important commitment we make. Tim Miller, Stewardship Committee

LAST CALL FOR . . . CHRISTMASBASKETS!

This is the last week for sponsoring a Christmas Basket family. We have remaining from our parish's assignment 4 families needing sponsors. Your assistance in sponsoring a financially struggling family helps them celebrate Christmas with gifts and a holiday meal. Many, such as seniors without a family, would not receive a gift at all if they were not sponsored for a Christmas Basket. Giving our clients a Christmas Basket helps them sustain their daily efforts to contend with hardship by showing that others care about them and empathize with their struggles.

Please help us make sure that every family in need gets a Christmas Basket this year.

There also remains 100+ families at Cathedral Shelter that were not assigned to any parish. Please contact Marilyn Knilans directly @ 847-945-5068 if you wish to sponsor one of these families. Dorthea White

SUNDAY AFTER ALL SAINTS, NOVEMBER 4― THE ABC'S (AND D AND E!)

A. During all three services we will read the names of the Faithful Departed as we receive Holy Communion, reminding us that every time we celebrate the Holy Eucharist time slips away and we are all gathered around the one Altar and Table with the Communion of Saints.

If you would like a loved one to be remembered, please sign up on one of the three clipboards― for the Eight, Nine, or Eleven O'Clock Practice― which you will find in the Parish Office on the credenza against the south wall.

B. At the Nine O'Clock Practice we will also induct all our Acolytes and Archacolytes Derek Hill and Chris Boutros. Acolytes should vest and gather in Founders Hall to process into the Church. We will also commission our Acolyte Director, Acolyte Mothers, and Acolyte Master.

C. This is also the Sunday when we do our Fall Clean-up and prepare our buildings and grounds for the winter. Please come dressed to work indoors and outdoors.

D. Time Alert: It's also FALL BACK SUNDAY! So remember to get that extra hour of sleep!

E. YOUTH GROUP CHRISTMASBASKETS

The Youth Group has sponsored a family of four again this year for the Christmas Gift Basket. On November 4 (5:00 - 7:30 pm) both the Middle School and High School will be going out to dinner and shopping for our family.

We ask that each family contribute $10 for buying the gifts.

We had a real positive experience last year helping others celebrate Christmas, so please try to come both for the fun and for the giving if you can. Thanks, Bret.

TROOP SUPPORT― OUR FINAL NIGHT: NOVEMBER 13

Please mark your calendar for Tuesday, November 13, at 7:00 PM for our final Troop Support Care Package Night. As you are no doubt aware, the surge Troops have returned from Afghanistan, to be followed by the remainder of our deployed Troops during the coming year. Happily, our Troops have also returned from Iraq.

We thank you for your on-going support and dedication to our ministry over the past seven (yes, 7) years. We have sent close to 40,000 packages to deployed military personnel and we are extremely proud of all of your efforts on behalf of this valuable ministry.

We invite you to help us pack a Christmas themed box to send to our Troops to help them get through the holidays and remember we appreciate their sacrifices and will be here for them upon their return.

Your donations of package contents and mailing costs will once again be greatly appreciated. We offer you our deepest gratitude for your friendship and unfaltering support. Cissy and Nuala

SUPPORT WAUKEGAN TO COLLEGE:

and enjoy wonderful wine from Viva le Vine in Libertyville. Through November 15, 20% of every full-price wine purchase will be donated to W2C― just mention W2C at check out.

October 21, 2012

+ In the Love of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Mark's Gospel is filled with references to the prophet Isaiah. Sometimes those references are explicit. Please turn in your pew Bibles to the very beginning of Mark's Gospel:

"As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, 'See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: "Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight"' (2-3)."

This explicit reference to Isaiah is echoed implicitly throughout the rest of the Gospel. For example, every time Mark writes that Jesus is "on the way" or "on the road"― "road" or "way" are English translations of the same word in Greek (' hodos)― Mark wants us to remember Isaiah and "the way of the Lord."

Or, for another example of implied references, when Jesus tells his disciples "whoever wishes to be great must be your servant" because the Son of Man― Jesus― "came not to be served but to serve," Mark wants us to remember the servant passages from Isaiah. There are four "servant songs" in Isaiah, and we won't read all of them, but we'll take a quick survey of the verse in each song that mentions servant.

And 49:3: "And he said to me, 'You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified.'"

And 52:13: "See, my servant shall prosper; he shall be exalted and lifted up, and shall be very high."

And finally, from this morning's reading from Isaiah, the second half of verse 53:11: "The righteous one, my servant, shall make many righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities."

Now please turn to Mark 10:32 so we can look at what leads up to this morning's Gospel (Mark 10:35-45) and know the context for the reading:

"They were on the road"― remember Isaiah!―, "going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking ahead of them; they were amazed, and those who followed were afraid. He took the twelve aside again and began to tell them what was to happen to him, saying, 'See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death; then they will hand him over to the Gentiles; they will mock him, and spit upon him, and flog him, and kill him; and after three days he will rise again.'"

And immediately after this passage, we have this morning's Gospel― so that's the context: Jesus has just told his disciples that he is going to be killed, and James and John are angling for the best seats in the Kingdom of God!

And you may remember that just a few weeks ago we heard a similar story. Please turn back a page to Mark 9:30:

"They [Jesus and his disciples] went on from there and passed through Galilee. He did not want anyone to know it; for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, 'The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again.' But they did not understand what he was saying and were afraid to ask him. Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, 'What were you arguing about onthe way?'"― remember Isaiah! "But they were silent, for onthe way― Mark wants to drive home the point!― they had argued with one another who was the greatest. He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, 'Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.'"― remember Isaiah!

So in this morning's Gospel, we have a repeat performance by the disciples, beginning with James and John, of course, but including all of the disciples once again:

"When the ten heard this, they began to be angry with James and John."― and Jesus' response tells us that the reason the other disciples were so angry is because James and John beat them to punch in asking for the best seats, too!

"So Jesus called them and said to them, 'You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many."

These last words about the Son of Man coming "not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many," reminded me of an article Meredith emailed me last week. Written by the Alban Institute's president, James Wind, it cited Edward O. Wilson's book The Social Conquest of Earth and the evolution of what he calls "eusocial behavior." The prefix eu- means "good," so eusocial behavior is good social behavior. Wind writes:

"For Wilson, the ancient, foundational characteristics of eusocial behavior are nest building, cross-generational communities, divisions of labor, and altruistic actions― individuals working for the common good, defending the nest, even to the point of sacrificing one's life." ". . . and to give his life a ransom for many."

He continues, "A special moment in the human evolutionary journey occurred when humans learned how to control fire. A few generations later our ancestors began to gather around campfires, speak, and tell stories. From these behaviors came the first burial ceremonies. . . . Few of us think of our congregations as a part of this epic evolutionary story. But in many ways our congregations are places where these ancient eusocial behaviors take place. Cross-generational nests are built. Now as way back then, people gather to sing and tell stories, to deal with death . . . and to find new ways to divide labor and counter the survival of the fittest with behavior that seeks to further the common good."

And then he concludes, "When we recall Robert Putnam's assertion that half of U.S. social capital is formed in congregations, we begin to see just how critical these eusocial places"― like St. Gregory's― are in our lives (Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community, [New York: Simon and Schuster, 2000], p. 66).

A dozen years ago I went to a clergy seminar by Dr. Terry Busch. At the time he worked for the Central Intelligence Agency as the Director of Human Resource Management. One of his friends was Anita Roddick, who founded the cosmetics company known as The Body Shop. On one occasion she told him, "The reason to be in business is to do social good." So, for example, she would take the profits from her business and build a soap factory in an impoverished area with high unemployment.

On another occasion she told him this: "We were looking for employees but people showed up instead!"

I have often wondered why Jesus didn't get rid of those dense disciples of his and try to put together a new group of disciples, but I think he came to the same conclusion that Anita Roddick did two millennia later: "I was looking for disciples but people showed up instead."

Please take your pew Bibles one more time, and turn in them to Isaiah 42:16. This is a passage in which God is talking about leading the people of Israel. Jesus undoubtedly knew this passage, and he must have kept it in his heart as he journeyed on the road to Jerusalem with those dense disciples of his:

"I will lead the blind by a road they do not know, by paths they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground. These are the things I will do, and I will not forsake them."

Jesus never forgot that he came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many― including his dense disciples, and including us. Jesus did not forsake his disciples, and he will not forsake us.

October 20, 2012

In the Eucharistic Prayer the celebrant says, "After supper he took the cup of wine, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them and said, 'Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins.

Is Jesus' Blood shed for many, but not for all?

Tomorrow's reading from Isaiah ends with these verses:

"The righteous one, my servant, shall make many righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities. Therefore I will allot him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he poured out himself to death, and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors" (Isaiah 53:11b-12; emphasis added).

Tomorrow's reading from Mark ends with this verse:

"For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45).

"The contrast both in Isa. 53 and here in Mark 10:45 is between the one who suffers and the many he suffers for, not between many and all. . ." (p. 288)

and

". . . the contrast is not between 'many' and 'all,' as if Christ died only for some, but rather between the 'one' Christ and 'the many' beneficiaries" (p. 290-291).

Beside this, linguistic scholars assure us that in Semitic grammar "the many" means "the all," the totality.

Other echoes of Mark 10:45:

Philippians 2:5-8: "Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death— even death on a cross."

John 10:11: "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep."

October 16, 2012

This past Sunday we held our October Quarterly Meeting, which began with the Rector's Point of Pentecost Award to Jon and Susie Dutcher. The criteria for this award are:

1. He or she has made a significant behind-the-scenes contribution to the life of the Parish or to the larger community; and

2. He or she has consistently exhibited the fruit of the Spirit in his or her life "the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." Galatians 5:22-3.

Their citation reads:

Jon and Susie Dutcher filled out a Visitor Card on October 28, 1984, including their young sons Joe and Bill. Susie began teaching right away: between 1985 and 1988 she successively taught the 3 and 4 year olds, Kindergarten, and First and Second Grade. Between 1987 and 1991, Jon's teaching career included the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth grades, and a year on the Christian Education Committee. Susie served on the Rector's Search Committee from 1987 to 1988, and on the Bishop's Search Committee in 1998. Jon served on the Vestry from 1989 to 1993, and again from 2006-2009; while Susie served from 1997 to 1999― and both served as Wardens. Each has served on our Sabbatical and Stewardship Committees as well. Susie has been involved at many levels of the Diocese of Chicago― as a delegate to Diocesan Convention, as a member of the Standing Committee― the diocesan equivalent of the vestry― and as the Assistant Director of the Deacon School from 2004-2009. Susie is our first Pastoral Care Visitor, and Jon is serving on the Preschool and Missions Boards. In the wider community, Jon and Susie are tutors with the Sharpe Kids Foundation and Family Focus in Evanston. Jon is also the President of the Board for I-PLUS, which serves the homeless and mentally ill of Lake County, half of whom are veterans.

STEWARDSHIP STATION

This is the first in a series of reflections by the Vestry's Stewardship Committee.

Someone once said "Christians don't do resentments . . . they do gratitude."

On a recent Sunday, I tried to count the number of times in the Service that there were references to thanks and praise― gratitude. I lost track after counting over a dozen such references.

As we approach the new year, let us express thanks for St. Gregory's by giving of our resources so that we can move into a gratitude-filled future. Howard Hush, Stewardship Committee

THIS SUNDAY! ALL PARISH INTERGENERATIONAL PUMPKIN DECORATION EVENT

Join us during the Christian Education Hour following the Nine O'Clock Practice in Founders' Hall at 10:10 am. No Adult Forum or Church School so children and adults alike can get a pumpkin and carve or decorate it.

And please sign up for a Pumpkin Patch shift! During the week (M-F) we are open from 12-7 pm; on weekends (Sat. and Sun) we are open from 10-7 pm.

This week we're highlighting the third and most popular of our Second Drawing Prizes: A Two-Week Stay Over the Pond in Royal Tunbridge Wells, England, for up to Four People

Travel by BritRail to London, or take the Chunnel to Paris, or park your rental at the flat for trips all over Great Britain. The two bedroom, two bath flat with living room and kitchen has all mod cons!

NEXT SUNDAY, OCTOBER 28―

In the morning, please join me at the Church of Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe in Waukegan as they celebrate the 10th anniversary of their church's consecration at 11:30 a.m.

Please let me know if you will help me represent our parish on this festive occasion! I will drive and lead the caravan to 2415 North Butrick, or please meet us there.

Concert with the Chicago Chamber Choirin costume with a wide variety of eerie music, and haunting classical and theatrical songs. The audience is encouraged to attend in costume too.

Make a reservation with Jim Collins or the Parish Office and save $2 off the door price of $20 for adults and $15 for children and students.

8:30 p.m.

Dessert Reception and Raffle Drawing― you do not need to be present to win― but why miss the fun?!

Also please note:

Luke and Jaine will offer Child Carefor children 5 and underduring the concert as their donation. No dinner will be providedso children should have eaten before arrival. We need donations of wine(dropped off any time during office hours) and desserts(dropped off on the morning of the 28th).

We are also in need of volunteersto assist with serving wine, beverages, coffee and desserts.

And last, but not least, we are in need of help with setup at 5:30 p.m.and clean up at 9:30 p.m.

SUNDAY AFTER ALL SAINTS, NOVEMBER 4― THE ABC'S

A. During all three services we will read the names of the Faithful Departed as we receive Holy Communion, reminding us that every time we celebrate the Holy Eucharist time slips away and we are all gathered around the one Altar and Table with the Communion of Saints.

If you would like a loved one to be remembered, please sign up on one of the three clipboards― for the Eight, Nine, or Eleven O'Clock Practice― which you will find in the Parish Office on the credenza against the south wall.

B. At the Nine O'Clock Practice we will also induct all our Acolytes and Archacolytes Derek Hill and Chris Boutros. Acolytes should vest and gather in Founders Hall to process into the Church. We will also commission our Acolyte Director, Acolyte Mothers, and Acolyte Master.

C. This is also the Sunday when we do our Fall Clean-up and prepare our buildings and grounds for the winter. Please come dressed to work indoors and outdoors.

STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE ADULT FORUM PRESENTATION, NOVEMBER 11

On Sunday, November 11, at 10:10 am, Al Bazzoni, Howard Hush, Cathy Leimbeck, and Tim Miller will introduce us to this year's Giving Campaign, and their exciting hopes for 2013.

TROOP SUPPORT― OUR FINAL NIGHT: NOVEMBER 13

Please mark your calendar for Tuesday, November 13, at 7:00 PM for our final Troop Support Care Package Night. As you are no doubt aware, the surge Troops have returned from Afghanistan, to be followed by the remainder of our deployed Troops during the coming year. Happily, our Troops have also returned from Iraq.

We thank you for your on-going support and dedication to our ministry over the past seven (yes, 7) years. We have sent close to 40,000 packages to deployed military personnel and we are extremely proud of all of your efforts on behalf of this valuable ministry

A Commanding Officer wrote to us some time ago that "these packages make the difference between a bad day and a good day" to our Troops. We have been privileged to be part of that "good day" many times, and to have been Points of Pentecost and provide Emmanuel Moments to these brave men and women and St. Gregory's, too.

We invite you to help us pack a Christmas themed box to send to our Troops to help them get through the holidays and remember we appreciate their sacrifices and will be here for them upon their return.

Your donations of package contents and mailing costs will once again be greatly appreciated. Funds in the Troop support account are quite low right now. After this last event, should any monies remain, they will be used to continue sending packages to the Seal units we currently support until all funds are depleted and the Seals return permanently. Any funds left at that point will be donated to the Wounded Warrior Project, a 501(C)(3) organization where 82 percent of donations go directly to fund wounded veteran's needs.

We offer you our deepest gratitude for your friendship and unfaltering support. Cissy and Nuala

AND SAVE THE DATE― ADVENT PARTY AND BLESSING OF THE DOOR AT THE RECTORY

Ingrid and I are looking forward to hosting you on Sunday, December 2, from 4:30 to 7:30 pm. Details to follow!

AN IMPORTANT THANK YOU FROM ASHLEY BABCOCK

I would like to thank everyone who helped with my Girl Scout Gold Award project. We planted native plants at Daniel Wright Woods in an area where invasive species had recently been cleared out. Since the members of my Girl Scout troop all had conflicts, and the AP Environmental Science class had their rummage sale last weekend, I am so happy that members of the church were able to help me; almost all of my volunteers were from church! Thanks to your efforts, we were able to plant all of the plants in one day.

Proud father Bill took the pictures which you will find below my signature, and Ashley provided an educational handout which you can read by clicking
here.

SUPPORT WAUKEGAN TO COLLEGE: and enjoy wonderful wine from Viva le Vine in Libertyville. Through November 15, 20% of every full-price wine purchase will be donated to W2C― just mention W2C when you check out. Join us at a Kickoff Wine Tasting on October 21, 2-4p at Viva le Vine 338 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville.

KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR OUR COLORFUL DEERFIELD AND LINCOLNSHIRE REVIEW ADVERTS!

Thanks to the Appelbaum family who donated the gift of a half-page ad, and LoriLee Bielski and Gamma Partners for the artwork, we will have a delightful promotion in the next edition of these community Reviews.

October 15, 2012

In my former congregation there was this one couple who remarked how little the leaders of the church ever preached or talked about sin. Granted the husband was raised in a Baptist church where fire and brimstone preaching was not unusual. But it is unusual in the Episcopal Church – based on my experiences anyway – to hear much preaching about our sinful nature. When was the last time you heard a good fire and brimstone sermon?

As Episcopalians, we have a tendency to avoid the topic of sin. . . . . it's too risky. It will disrupt our comfortable Sunday worship experience. We don't want that. If we're honest with ourselves, for the most part we come to church to be comforted and spiritually fed, not admonished. People in general, church-goers or not, don't like to talk about sin. We don't like to think about our shortcomings, and we certainly don't like it when others point them out to us, especially from the pulpit.

I know there are times when priests – including myself - hold back because we don't feel comfortable standing up here holding others accountable – knowing full well that we are sinners too. We forget though that the priestly role is also a prophetic one, one in which we are called to speak hard truths. So, I wonder what my preaching colleagues are doing with today's readings.

We heard from Amos - a prophet who had no trouble speaking hard truths – his recorded works are mostly about indictments and announcements of judgment. Another selection from the lectionary that we didn't hear read aloud today, is from Hebrews in which the author tells us it's impossible for anything to be hidden from God . . . the one to whom we must render account. . . a God who is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart [Hebrews 4:12-16].

Lastly, we have Mark's Jesus telling us that for mortals it's impossible to enter the kingdom. A very confusing statement when taken in the context of 1st century Jewish understandings of righteousness and blessings. All throughout Hebrew scripture, material wealth and possessions were perceived as a sign of God's favor…. a result of living in right relationship with God and neighbor. Abraham and Solomon are a couple examples.

And now we have the rich man in today's story. He most likely felt and was perceived by his peers and others in his community as having been blessed by God. … his wealth a clear sign of God's pleasure in him. It's no wonder he left feeling sad and confused - He's been doing all the right things.

The disciples were left feeling just as confused – beside material prosperity being seen as a reward for spiritual virtue, wealth and honor were attributes of the most privileged and accomplished members of society…. And not having to toil all day to earn a living, the wealthy had plenty of leisure time in which to pursue prayer, study and worship. All good things. Right?

So how could the man's wealth and position in life be a hindrance to gaining entrance to the kingdom of heaven? Mark tells us that Jesus "loved him" - the only person in Mark's gospel, by the way, that Jesus is said to love. He had deep affection for him. Jesus saw that this was a good man, with a pure heart sincerely approaching Jesus with his question – "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"

The key word in the rich man's question is "do." He asked, "What must I do to inherit eternal life?"

The answer is NOTHING! There is nothing we can do to gain entrance into the kingdom, as Jesus later reinforces for the disciples by telling them that for mortals it is impossible! A statement that once again flies in the face of conventional thinking up-ending the belief that the good things that happen in life are somehow direct rewards for virtuous behavior and signs of God's favor, while the bad things that happen are punishment – a result of divine retribution.

People still function with this thinking today despite Jesus teaching us otherwise, and despite the advances we've made in understanding how the natural world works. Many still seem to believe that good health, wealth and prosperity are signs of God's blessing, while the bad things in life are punishment for our sins.

Not only does the concept of divine retribution continue to pervade conventional thinking, but the notion that we can earn our way into heaven through our doing . . . . through our good works, continues right alongside it.

Notice the commandments that the rich man acknowledges keeping – murder, adultery, stealing, lying, defrauding, honoring our parents. We can also probably say, that for the most part we do okay in keeping these commandments. These are the behaviors that have to do with our relationships with one another – with our neighbor – behaviors that all have direct impact on our daily life and work. Honoring these commandments will either deepen and strengthen our relationships with one another, or serve to damage and destroy them.

But notice the commandments that Jesus didn't mention – the first four of the Decalogue.

You shall have no other gods before me

You shall not make for yourself an idol

You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the Lord your God

Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy

These are the ones that have to do with being in relationship with God. Simply by thinking that gaining entrance into the kingdom is about our doing leaves us violating the 2nd commandment about not making idols. When we place our trust and confidence solely in our own abilities, we've made an idol out of ourselves. The god we worship and count on becomes us. . . leading us to forget that for mortals it is impossible to pass through the gates of heaven through any good works of our own.

God is less concerned with our doing than God is about our being. You might have heard the expression that we are human beings not human doings. God didn't create us to do things - certainly not when it comes to attempts to ensure our salvation. Salvation is a not something to be earned – it's a gift.

God created us - in God's image - first and foremost to be …..to BE in relationship with God. Any desired doing is relative only to our being in relationship with God.

The idea of being having greater value than doing is difficult to embrace within a culture that measures worth by level of productivity and achievement. Western culture is dominated by this belief that personal achievement is the ultimate mark of success. It's not what kind of a person you are, it's what you do. And the worth of our doing is measured by position, status and material gain. We measure by the amount of money a person makes or the amount of money that person can make for us. . . we are a capitalist society after all.

You can apply this to any aspect of life whether it's in the world of entertainment, sports or business. In the world of academia and certain professions, we also measure by the number or type of degrees earned, whether our works are published or not, and the institution through which we're affiliated. In the ecclesiastical, the church world, we use similar academic measures, but we also measure success by the size of the congregation and the size of the budget. Rarely is spiritual health or vitality used as a marker of success or worth. These are all idols that we have created and put our trust in. . . . Idols symbolic of our own perceived abilities, our doings. . . .not God's.

I imagine that the metaphorical camel in our life that prevents us from getting through the narrow gate is often our swollen head and/or our swollen wallet. Our heads – our egos - are swelled with the belief that it's through our own abilities that we make gains in this world . . . and also the kingdom world. This is a dangerous thinking to get caught up in….dare I say, even sinful thinking.

The rich man in today's passage the only person Jesus is said to "have loved," this is also the only person portrayed in the gospels as having turned away from a personal invitation to follow. What about us? How are we going to choose . . . . itself an act of doing.

We do the only thing we can. . . . .relative to being in relationship with God – we do what we've promised to do through our baptismal covenant. When we sin, we choose to repent and return to the Lord. We choose to gather together in prayer and worship, sharing the bread and wine. We choose to continue our own study and prayer life.

We choose to do all of these . . . .all acts of being in relationship with God and with one another. . . . always remembering Jesus' words that for God all things are possible. . . . Even redemption for us failed, broken human beings. All things are possible in Jesus' name. Amen.

October 13, 2012

Earlier this year while killing time in an airport between flights I wandered by one of the shops with all the books and magazines.

I believe strongly that the Spirit was guiding me that day in the airport. I looked up and it was like a scene in a movie when everything else faded out and the spotlight focused in on the book on the display stand. And a voice from heaven called out, Leigh – Buy this book and read it!

When to Speak Up and When to Shut Up (by Dr. Michael D. Sedler)

This book was immediately brought to mind in reading today's Gospel.

It's not always easy to know though whether it's a good time to keep our mouth closed and remain silent, or it's a time to speak.

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You may notice that a shift has now occurred in Mark's Gospel. Having fulfilled the public phase of his ministry going about the countryside with the 12 disciples; being transfigured up on the mountaintop, and knowing the time has come for the final leg of his journey to Jerusalem and the cross, Jesus has turned his attention inward, focusing on private instruction with the 12 to prepare them for when he departs.

And so far the apostles are not doing so well. Remaining silent one moment when it would have been helpful to speak up asking for clarification and the next moment arguing about silly things like whom is the greatest….completely missing the point of what Jesus has been trying to teach them.

In comparing the gospels to one another in terms of how Jesus and the disciples are portrayed, Mark's gospel gives us the most human portrait of Jesus, along with giving us a very real human portrait of the 12 - one focusing on their failures and inability to live into Jesus' expectations.

There's a passage in Chap. 8, that gives us an example of both……….the disciples are fretting over the fact that they'd forgotten to bring along enough bread on one of their journeys with Jesus. Seems like a normal concern when traveling, only this occurs just after they witnessed Jesus feed a crowd of thousands of people starting only with 7 loaves and a few small fish. You'd think one of them would have remembered what had just occurred and learned something from it – but they didn't. Jesus, completely exasperated by their inability to put two and two together, responds out of his humanity saying, (and I paraphrase), "What do I have to do? Spell it out for you! It doesn't take a brain surgeon to figure this out!"

Not only are the disciples a little slow on the uptake, when it really came down to it, they weren't there for him either, despite bold statements made that they'd die for him if necessary. First, by falling asleep in the garden after specifically being asked by Jesus to stay awake and pray with him, and then by deserting him during his time of greatest need – whether it was Peter denying him 3 times or their failure to be there for him (with the exception of John) while nailed to the cross. It's can be hard to believe that this is the group of men who will take over the reins after Jesus departs.

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Jesus talks more about the reign of God than he does anything else in this gospel, expecting those who believe and choose to follow to alter their lives accordingly – to alter them radically.

In this private teaching moment with disciples, Jesus uses the analogy of welcoming a child as being an example of the radical change that's called for in choosing to follow him. In our context today you might question what's so radical about welcoming a child?

It's easy to be welcoming to children, isn't it? Especially when they're babies, innocent and blameless, just being their cute little selves.

When I was growing up, there was a strong message that children should be seen and not heard. Today we not only encourage them to speak up, we teach them how. We teach them how to express their needs, wants and desires, as we aggressively support them in fulfilling their dreams and goals….often to a point of over-indulgence.

It was quite the opposite in the world of the New Testament, where children were seen as non-persons….possessions of the head of the household. There was nothing to be gained by esteeming a child with honor and respect. A child couldn't grant one favors or enhance one's position in the struggles for prestige and influence. They were akin to servants in that they were without honor or high social standing.

For Jesus to suggest that children or people of low social standing should be treated with the same honor and respect as those of higher social standing was to seriously challenge the cultural norms – something Jesus spent his ministry doing.

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The behavior of the 12 is not behavior that we are unfamiliar with. Like the disciples, we don't always get it at first or we have to be reminded over and over.

We struggle with knowing when to speak up and when to shut up. Those times when we talk too much in our attempts to dominate a situation and impose our views or we speak when we don't really know what we're talking about…or we remain silent in the face of injustice or evil, not voicing our opposition. Sometimes, guided by the mistaken belief that it's not our place, we hold back from offering words of comfort or support. And we, like the disciples, can even fall prey to arguing about silly things like who amongst us is the greatest. We can forget to welcome the metaphorical child, the servants, people whom we perceive as being below our station in life, less worthy somehow.

The people who are different from us, whether it's race, color, creed, sexual orientation, age, gender, class…… you name it. Equally important, we can forget to come to others as the servant ….presenting ourselves with a spirit of humility and service.

Jesus is calling all of us to new and radical behavior. .. whether it involves speaking out against the powers of evil at work in and around us in this world, or speaking out with words of kindness and support.

Whether it's silently serving those in need, welcoming them as the little children welcomed by Jesus; or silently stepping aside so someone else can experience honor and respect among their peers.

The question to ask ourselves is, "Are we willing to accept this call to a new way of being and radically alter our lives in response to it?"

October 09, 2012

Please join us after the Nine O'Clock Service for updates on St. Gregory's Mission and Ministries, and to honor the latest recipient of the Rector's Point of Pentecost Service Award. The criteria for this award are:

1. He or she has made a significant behind-the-scenes contribution to the life of the Parish or to the larger community; and

2. He or she has consistently exhibited the fruit of the Spirit in his or her life: "the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." Galatians 5:22-23.

THE PUMPKINS ARE HERE― PLEASE HELP US SELL THEM!

On Saturday a team of about 50 parishioners and friends came to unload a whole big rig loaded with pumpkins. Thanks to the hard effort put forth by all, we were finished in under two hours!

We also had a very successful first couple of days in sales, with the first two days bringing approximately $2,000!

This is a testimony to how everybody in this congregation makes the Pumpkin Patch possible. Without you this major fundraiser for our youth cannot happen.

Our patch will be open until Oct. 31 with shifts everyday--rain or shine. During the week (M-F) we are open from 12-7 pm; on weekends (Sat. and Sun) we are open from 10-7 pm.

We always need help with shifts, so if you can, please take some time to peruse the Pumpkin Patch Sign-Up Book. If everyone takes a shift or two, we'll be all set for October!

Special thanks to all who came out to help on unloading day, to Luke Peterson, Damaris Boutros, and Shari Benson for taking pictures, and David Rion and John Welker for setting up and repairing our tent. Bret Chandler

2012 ST. GREGORY'S PRESCHOOL RAFFLE!

We have sold 258 tickets, which means we only need about 47 people to buy three tickets each at the low low price of $125― $25 off!—and we will be out of tickets!

This week we're highlighting the third of our Grand Prizes:

The Golf Experience on the Del Monte™ Golf Course in Monterey for Two― Value: $4,935. Tee off for a par-72 round of golf and travel in your own golf cart the oldest course in continuous operation west of the Mississippi.

Plus: a three-night stay at the four-star Hyatt Regency Monterey, located two miles east of the beach adjacent to the Del Monte™ golf course; and round-trip coach from any American Airlines destination in the 48 contiguous United States or Canada.

THE NEXT BOOK CLUB MEETING IS NEXT WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 17 AT 7 PM

Gather in the Library to discuss The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay. And mark these future dates and selections: December 5: The Christmas Sweater by Glenn Beck; January 16: 11/23/1963 by Stephen King; February 20: The Litigators by John Grisham; and on March 20: READER'S CHOICE. Cissy Singleton

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 28―Bewitched: More Music for the Dead of Night

By popular demand, the Chicago Chamber Choir resurrects the chilling sounds and scary sights of Halloween!

The choir will perform a wide variety of eerie music, from haunting classical songs― such as Bach's Come Sweet Death and Whitacre's Nox Aurumque― to fun theatrical songs― such as Ballad of Sweeney Todd, Witches, Chorus, This is Halloween, Little Shop of Horrors, Time Warp, and more.

The singers of CCC will be in ghostly attire and the audience is encouraged to attend in costume too. Tickets at the door: $20 adults; $15 children and students. Or save by purchasing your tickets on line by clicking here.

FROM JIM COLLINS, DIRECTOR OF MUSIC MINISTRIES EXTRAORDINAIRE

Dear Fellow Parishioners,

Thank you for making my 20th anniversary such a special occasion! I had a wonderful time, and I SO appreciate your cards, letters and many gifts. I was truly overwhelmed. A special thank you to my dear friend, Robin Raimondi (who planned the party), to Bill & Ingrid for choosing the gorgeous glass Treble Clef, to Rob & Bret for performing, to the entire Schaper family for all they did behind the scenes, and to all of YOU for giving up a gorgeous afternoon to honor me. You are the BEST. Love, Jim

OFFICIAL DELEGATION FROM ST. GREGORY'S?

We have been invited by Father Narciso Diaz to join our brothers and sisters in Christ at the Church of Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe as they celebrate the 10th anniversary of the church's consecration.

The Celebrants will be our present Bishop, Jeffrey D. Lee, and also Bishop George Councell of New Jersey, who was the Rector of the Church of the Holy Spirit when Nuestra Senora acquired its present site.

I would appreciate it very much if you would be willing to represent our parish at this wonderful celebration on Sunday, October 28, 2012 at 11:30 a.m. Please let me know if you are interested. I can assure you it will be a festive occasion and fun experience!

ST. GREGORY'S IS ON FACEBOOK! Get early access to the Newsletter and sermons by clicking here.

WALKERS AVAILABLE

Thanks to Pat Auch and Sedgebrook, we now have two walkers for our parishioners and visitors who need them. If it's a tight fit in your car, leave your walker at home! They are stored in the closet opposite the handicap door.

CHRISTMASBASKETS!

Sign-up sheets are available on the hallway table. This year's Basket program has 200 more registrations than last year. St Gregory's has been assigned 30 families and 10 seniors. Our deadline for finding sponsors is Oct 22.When you sponsor a family, you will be given the family's names, genders, ages, clothing sizes, and their wishes for gifts.

You will also get guidelines, a checklist and sample labels for putting together your basket. Please spend at least $15 per family member for Christmas Dinner― for a family of four, please purchase a single Jewel gift card for at least $60: 4 x $15. We are also asked to spend at least $25-$45 per family member on gifts.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 20, 7:00 PM AT HOLY CROSS DEFAMATION

Please join Ingrid and me and other St. Gregory's parishioners as jury members for this exciting 70 minute trial and jury (audience) deliberation. A discussion with the playwright and cast follows. I have the $5 tickets.

WAUKEGAN 2 COLLEGE

Would you like the chance to change the life of a disadvantaged student in Waukegan? The college-readiness program, Waukegan to College (W2C) is looking for you! There are several ways to help:

Saturday mornings from 9-12, W2C hosts one-on-one tutoring sessions in subjects such as math, reading, English, science and Spanish. Tutors work with the same student(s) each week.

Share the joy of reading in Read to Achieve, a weekly reading program where volunteers read aloud with a student for 45 minutes. Sessions take place on weekday afternoons and evenings.

Coach a high school student on staying on track with their studies and helping them realize their college dreams. Each coach will be paired with a student and will meet with them monthly to discuss academic progress and to coach them on reaching their goals.

If you have a talent for working with kids and could help 5th-12th graders in these opportunities, please help. All volunteers must complete a background check and a child protection workshop.

W2C also needs behind-the-scenes help in marketing, website design, videography and database development. These opportunities promise to be fulfilling ways for you to share your gifts with those in need.

If you would like more information about W2C and these opportunities, please call or email Shirley Traettino, 847-948-8026 or srtraettino@comcast.net.

October 02, 2012

All hands on deck, please! We are getting the whole truck this year so we need all the help we can get!

Pizza for lunch for all our helpers. And please sign-up for shifts and unloading. Bret Chandler

AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM ASHLEY BABCOCK:

I am working on my Girl Scout Gold Award project (the equivalent of an Eagle Scout project for Boy Scouts).

I will be planting native sedge plants at Wright Woods Forest Preserve this Monday, October 8 at 10:00 am. Native plants provide many benefits to the ecosystem that nonnative species cannot provide.

I would greatly appreciate it if anyone would volunteer to help me plant. If you would like to come, please contact me at ashbab@sbcglobal.net and I can provide you with more information.

2012 ST. GREGORY'S PRESCHOOL RAFFLE!

We have sold 258 tickets, which means we only need about 47 people to buy three tickets each at the low low price of $125― $25 off!—and we will be out of tickets!

This week we're highlighting one of the Second Drawing Prizes:

A Two-Night Stay Over the Lake in the Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island, for Two

Luxuriate in the Grand Hotel's salons, shops, spa, and dining rooms, and explore this romantic and historic island by walking, bicycling, or by horse or horse-drawn carriage. Activities include golf, tennis, and swimming in the Esther Williams outdoor pool.

Your two-night stay begins with dinner on the first night, includes breakfast and dinner on your second day, and concludes with breakfast on your day of departure.

FRIDAY-MONDAY, OCTOBER 5-8― DEERFIELD HIGH SCHOOL RUMMAGE SALE

We will collect items for the sale onFriday, Oct 5. Drop off any items that are clean and in workable order after school from 4-8 PM at the cafeteria entrance. We will provide receipts for your donation for tax purposes.

The Rummage Sale itself runs from 8-5 on Saturday, and Sunday, October 6-7, with a $5 bag sale on left over items 3-5 PM on Monday. Profits benefit the homeless; leftover items given to area charities serving the poor.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 20, 7:00 PM AT HOLY CROSS DEFAMATION

Please join Ingrid and me and other St. Gregory's parishioners as jury members for this exciting and provocative 70 minute trial and 15-minute jury (audience) deliberation. The final vote, either 'for the plaintiff' or 'for the defendant' decides the outcome of the trial. A post-show discussion with the audience, playwright, and cast follows.

The play is suitable for adults and high school students. Please see me for the $5 tickets.

CHRISTMASBASKETS!

Sign-up sheets are available on the hallway table. This year's Basket program has 200 more registrations than last year. St Gregory's has been assigned 30 families and 10 seniors. Our deadline for finding sponsors is Oct 22.

When you sponsor a family, you will be given the family’s names, genders, ages, clothing sizes, and their wishes for gifts. You will also get guidelines, a checklist and sample labels for putting together your basket.

We are asked to spend at least $15 per family member for Christmas Dinner― so if you have a family of four, please purchase a single Jewel gift card for at least $60: 4 x $15.

We are also asked to spend at least $25-$45 per family member on gifts.

GET READY FOR ANOTHER DIALOGUE SERMON! OCTOBER 7, ALL PRACTICES

Genesis 2:18-24:

The LORD God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper as his partner." So out of the ground the LORD God formed every animal of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them; and whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name. The man gave names to all cattle, and to the birds of the air, and to every animal of the field; but for the man there was not found a helper as his partner. So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then he took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. And the rib that the LORD God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. Then the man said, "This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; this one shall be called Woman, for out of Man this one was taken." Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and clings to his wife, and they become one flesh.

Mark 10:2-16:

Some Pharisees came, and to test Jesus they asked, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?" He answered them, "What did Moses command you?" They said, "Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of dismissal and to divorce her." But Jesus said to them, "Because of your hardness of heart he wrote this commandment for you. But from the beginning of creation, 'God made them male and female.' 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.' So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate." Then in the house the disciples asked him again about this matter. He said to them, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her; and if she divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery." People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, "Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it." And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.

For each passage ask yourself these questions, and bring your answers to worship on October 7:

1. If I wrote this passage as an article for a newspaper, what would my headline be?